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PRESS: Festive season feel-good fun at The Drama Factory
- Theatre Scene Cape Town
- Dec 3
- 7 min read
Christine Skinner
Music, comedy and a dash of magic are guaranteed to give you some feel-good fun at The Drama Factory this festive season.
“There’s something for everyone to move you into the holiday mood and provide a much-needed wind-down from a busy year,” says Sue Diepeveen, founder of The Drama Factory. “From the best of the 80s to comedy, theatre and the return of our magical mentalist Bryan Miles, we’ve got your holiday season covered. Look out also for two different shows by world-renowned saxophonist Andrew Young in January.”
The festive season programme includes:
NOW THAT'S WHAT I CALL MUSIC - Celebrating Classic Songwriting from the 80s
James Stewart (of The Usual) and John Ellis (of Tree63)
Live Music
5 December 19h30
Tickets cost R230 / R200
Back by popular demand! After wowing audiences with their “Sting celebration”, multi-award-winning duo, James Stewart (of The Usual) and John Ellis (of Tree63) return with a celebration of the great songwriting of the 80s. This show isn’t imitation, but a fresh, soulful spin on classics. With their charismatic chemistry, James and John transform familiar tunes into something entirely new; a nostalgic trip with a fresh twist. Expect hits from some of their favourite songwriters from the 80s, including Simple Minds, Tears for Fears, Duran Duran, Bruce Springsteen, Cindi Lauper ,The Police, U2, Bryan Adams, Crowded House, and more! James Stewart is a multi-Emmy nominated, multi SAMA Award winning singer and songwriter. He achieved success as the frontman for the chart topping band, The Usua,l and subsequently enjoyed solo success. His songs like ‘The Shape that I’m in’, ‘Like a vision’, ‘You don’t stop turning me on’ and ‘Shine’ continue to be played on radio. John Ellis is a singer-songwriter from Durban, South Africa. John lead his band Tree63 to international acclaim as that band’s singer, guitar player and award-winning songwriter. John is currently performing with members of Tree63 again. As a solo artist, he has been nominated for a SAMA award, and has released five solo albums.
WICUS VAN DER MERWE - KOMEDIE & SANG
Wicus van der Merwe
Live Music & Comedy
6 December 19h30
Tickets cost R230
Groepe van 4 of meer R200
Wicus van der Merwe is ‘n alombekende storieverteller, sanger en komediant. Die aand beloof lekker lag, lekker kuier en lekker musiek. Kom geniet hom saam met ons!! Vir meer as 20 jaar vermaak Wicus van der Merwe al Suid-Afrikaanse en internasionale gehore met sy eiesoortige humor, kwinkslae en lekker musiek. Hy is bekend as sanger, komediant, MC, afslaer en by tye akteur wat al by van dié grootste produksies soos Skouspel betrokke was. Hy was ook al TV aanbieder op programme soos “Opskop”, “Jou show met Emo” en “Jukebox”, om maar ‘n paar te noem en is ‘n gereelde gas op programme soos “Oppiestoep” en ander vermaaklikheidsprogramme. Hy het vanjaar splinteruwe musiek die lig laat sien met die uitreiking van “Bosveld Weskus” met nog ‘n paar liedjies wat later die lig sal sien. Photo Credits: Abri Kruger Fine Art Photography
Wicus van der Merwe is 'n Afrikaanse sanger wat ligte vermaakliedjies sing, en is ook ‘n komediant and storieverteller. Van sy treffers sluit in Spietkop, Hie' Komme Ding en Vat Hom Pappie. Hy is in 2009 deur Huisgenoot Tempo genomineer vir die "Beste Humoristiese Album". Sy pa Tolla van der Merwe was 'n bekende grap- en storieverteller.
DE WALS VAN DIE LIEFDE
Jannie du Toit (sang en kitaar), Marcel Dednam (klavier), Deryn Dednam (alt-saxofoon)
Live Music
15 December 17h00
Tickets cost R220 / R200
Veertig jaar nadat Jannie Du Toit ’n eerste Nederlandstalige liedjie plaaslik gesing het, is DE WALS VAN DE LIEFDE van Toon Hermans die titellied van sy nuwe program van persoonlike gunstelinge uit die Nederlandstalige kleinkuns van die twintigste eeu. Jannie het van altyd af ‘n besondere aanklank by dié musiek gehad, en dit het sy musiek en loopbaan ingrypend beïnvloed. Daar is altyd versoeke vir sy “Hollandse” liedjies: Madeleine en Marieke van Brel, dié van sy vriende Jules de Corte en Robert Long asook Van Veen en Urbanus. Musiekliefhebbers kry nou die geleentheid om al Jannie se “toppers”, soos die Nederlanders sê, in een program te hoor. Jannie word op klavier en alt-saxofoon begelei deur die uiters musikale egpaar Marcel en Deryn Dednam. Jannie du Toit het in 1979 Nederlandse luisterliedjies by ’n platewinkel in Amsterdam gaan soek en dit het die res van sy loopbaan ingrypend beïnvloed. Sy heel eerste Nederlandse liedjie op die verhoog was een van Herman van Veen, daarna sing hy in Van Berlyn tot Bapsfontein (1988) Nederlandse liedjies saam met Laurika Rauch, en sy eerste volledige program van Nederlandstalige musiek was DE KLEINE MAN saam met Christa Steyn in 1994.Later word Nederlandse weergawes van Jacques Brel se liedjies asook Jules de Corte se musiek ook deel van sy repertorium. By sy konserte is daar a ltyd weer versoeke vir sy “Hollandse” liedjies: Marieke van Brel, Ik zou wel eens willen weten van Jules de Corte, Achter de horizon van Robert Long, Belastingcontroleur van Urbanus en De kleine man van Louis Davids.
BRYAN MILES: ELEMENTAL
Bryan Miles
Mentalism and Magic
16 September 15h00
Tickets cost R200 / R190
Back By Popular Demand! Acclaimed mentalist Bryan Miles returns to the stage with his brand-new live show, Elemental. Elemental is an interactive journey through the cracks in human perception. Through a masterful mixture of non-verbal communication, prediction, suggestion, and mind illusions, Bryan Miles explores the mysterious connection between free will and destiny. The result? A show that is as thought-provoking as it is mystifying. "We all believe we’re in control of our choices. But what if your next thought has already been decided?" – Bryan Miles Think you’ve seen it all? Think again. Elemental invites the audience not just to watch, but to participate, and even become part of the mystery. The show delves into the building blocks of human perception — each performance is a unique combination of interactive mentalism and psychological theatre
BACK TO THE 80S The Morning After Band
Live Music
19 December 19h30
Tickets cost R230 / R210
Dust off those leg warmers and tease that hair - we’re going full 80s glam! Get ready to relive the magic of the 1980s as The Morning After, one of S.A’s premier live bands, who brought you their popular “Country Roads” & “Rock Around The Clock” show, are set to ignite the stage with their “Back To The 80s” show. When it comes to the 80s, it wins hands down for the most memorable songs of all time and this show promises to deliver some of its greatest hits. The Morning After returns with a spectacular celebration of the decade that gave us big hair, bigger anthems and some of the most unforgettable music in rock history. The audience will be treated to iconic songs from legendary bands such as Queen, U2, Bon Jovi, Fleetwood Mac and Def Leppard, to mention but a few. With such a stellar lineup, The Morning After’s “Ultimate 80s” show guarantees an unforgettable evening of singing and dancing to beloved 80s anthems!
STIRRED NOT SHAKEN
Lynita Crofford (performed), Natasha Sutherland (directed), Susan Hayden (written)
Drama / Comedy
20 December 15h00 & 19h30
Tickets cost R200
Don’t miss Stirred not Shaken, the brand-new one-woman dramedy performed by award-winning actress Lynita Crofford. This spicy play follows the journey of feisty Kathryn, a woman who finds herself alone at her kitchen table wondering, what the focaccia? Still reeling from the shock of an empty nest, this ‘perfect’ wife and mother wakes up to the reality of a bitter betrayal where the life she worked hard to create turns out to be a sham.Armed with a cookbook, a martini and newfound determination, Kathryn sets out to hone her knife skills. But, is she ready to turn up the heat and serve a five-course reckoning?Directed by acclaimed Natasha Sutherland, Kathryn’s wry humour and shockingly raw honesty will make you laugh out loud as the curve-ball she never saw coming becomes a catalyst to finding the parts of herself she had locked away in a drawer. “Piece about women, by women, for women” - Laetitia Pople “Lynita Crofford delivers a knockout performance as Kathryn” - Guy McDonald “Spicy, heartfelt and wonderfully real” - Guy McDonald “Whimsical and reflective” - Robyn Cohen “A lot to crunch on in this funny and entertaining play” - Robyn Cohen “It’s uncomfortable in the best way” - Herman Lategan
FERG 'N SON - IT'S IN THE BLOOD - NATIONWIDE TOUR
Fergie Ferguson / Michael Ferguson
Live Musi
c21 December 16h00
Tickets cost R260 / R240
Groups of 4 or more R220 Per Person
Get ready for an unforgettable summer as South Africa’s Father and Son musical duo, Ferg ’n Son, hits the road with their high-voltage tour! This is more than a concert. It’s a celebration! Ferg ’n Son light up every stage with their infectious energy and dynamic sound. Blending Pop, Rock, Country, and timeless Classics, this genre-crossing duo delivers an unforgettable live experience that keeps audiences coming back for more. Comprised of music legend Fergie Ferguson — known for singing the smash hit ‘’Man on the moon’’ with 80s Megaband Ballyhoo—and his son Michael Ferguson, an Internationally- acclaimed singer/songwriter, Ferg ’n Son offers audiences a powerful mix of nostalgia, soul, and modern flair. Following international performances, the duo is now returning home for their SA summer tour kicking off in December, with a setlist full of originals and fresh takes on crowd favourites. Don’t miss this chance to see Ferg ‘n Son live – a show that blends nostalgia, passion, infectious energy and rock ‘n roll fire! It’s in the blood!
Bookings for all shows can be made at www.thedramafactory.co.za or contact 073 215 2290.
With its fully licensed bar and cosy, welcoming atmosphere, The Drama Factory is the perfect venue to enjoy top-quality entertainment with a group of friends or family. The solar-powered invertor ensures the show will always go on, even when there is load-shedding!
Make a staycation of a visit to The Drama Factory, booking in with one of their wonderful accommodation partners. Spend the night at The Views Guesthouse, 185 on Beach or Majorca House to enjoy the beauty and many other activities on offer in the surrounding Helderberg region. Visit the website for further details.
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